PhD Programme in Economic History

The PhD programme in economic history offers stimulating studies with excellent career prospects both within and outside academia. The programme has a strong international orientation where both teaching and research are done in English. The PhD candidates participate in international networks and work towards international publication of their results.

Programme Structure

The programme corresponds to 240 credit points (four years of full-time study), and consists of one course component (75 credit points) and a doctoral dissertation (165 credit points). Normally the mandatory courses are taken during the first year.

Mandatory Courses

The mandatory courses are:

• Designing a PhD dissertation, 7.5 credit points
• Foundations of Economic History, 15 credit points
• Philosophy of Science/Theory of Science, 7.5 credit points
• Research Ethics, 3 credit points
• Research Seminars, 7.5 credit points
• Quantitative course, 7.5 credit points
• Qualitative course, 7.5 credit points

Designing a PhD Dissertation

In consultation with the supervisors, the doctoral student is to identify a research problem and formulate a research issue that is to be examined in the doctoral thesis, and plan his or her research with regard to theory, data and methodology.

Foundations of Economic History

The course consists of reading and analysing a number of standard works in economic history, divided into three components: pre-industrial society, the process of industrialisation, and modern society.

Philosophy of Science/Theory of Science

The degree must include a minimum of 7.5 credits. The recommended courses offered at the department are Philosophy of science/Theory of science, History of Economic Thought, or a course at the faculty of Social Science Philosophy of science for the social sciences.

Research Ethics

Basic normative ethics, the history of research ethics, the utility of research, the risks of research subjects and others concerned, protection of personal integrity and personal data, informed consent and research on subjects unable to give consent, relevant legislation, ethical vetting, good research practice, research misconduct, publication ethics, the researcher as an authority and ethical aspects of external engagement.

Research Seminars

Active and regular attendance at the department's seminars along with completed midway and final seminars.

Quantitative Course

The degree must include a minimum of 7.5 credits quantitative methods. The recommended courses offered at the department are EEH006F Econometrics I or EEH007F Econometrics II.

Qualitative Course

The degree must include a minimum of 7.5 credits qualitative methods. You may choose amongst courses offered at Lund or other universities, although it must be approved by the Director of doctoral studies.

Optional Courses

The selection of optional courses is regulated in accordance with the specialization of the candidate. The Department of Economic History offers numerous optional courses, but it is also possible to study elsewhere. Advanced level course credits are transferred to the PhD programme studies after individual assessment and consultation with the supervisor and the director of the PhD programme.

The Global Economy and Long Term Economic Growth

This course studies historical processes of growth, convergence and divergence in the global economy over the past two centuries.

Development of Emerging Economies

Over the last decades, global growth dynamics have shifted towards the economies of the non-Western world. The world is no longer divided between the West and the Rest.

Quantifying Economic Growth Over Time

Innovation and technical change is central to long term economic growth but it is treated very differently in economic theories.

China and the Asia Pacific Economy

This course explores and explains the processes of rapid industrialisation and socio-economic modernisation in China and the Asia Pacific drawing on a historically-comparative institutional approach.

Economics of Innovation

This course covers several areas of innovation economics, such as their characteristics, their driving forces of innovation and how innovation affects economic growth.

Population and Living Standards

The first part of the course is an overview of the population debate over the past 50 years and its intellectual roots.

Consequences of Demographic Change

The course examines the impact of demographic change on the social and economic fabric of society, with a focus on issues of importance to today's policymakers.

Human Capital in a Historical Perspective

Human capital is, in short, the stock of skills that a country's population or labor force possesses.

Institutions, Economic Growth and Equity

Historical evidence suggests that the quality and efficiency of a country's institutions, such as law enforcement, property rights, and civil rights, are significant determinants of its growth performance.

Advanced Analysis of Economic Change

This course analyses the major debates in development economics from a long-term perspective.

Causes of Demographic Change

The course gives an introduction to demographic data, measurement and description of demographic phenomena.

Quantitative Courses

The degree must include a minimum of 7.5 credits quantitative methods. The recommended courses offered at the department are EEH006F Econometrics I or EEH007F Econometrics II.

Econometrics I

The course is divided up into two parts. The first part consists of basic theory and methods relating to multivariate linear regression, limited dependent variable regression and time series analysis.

Econometrics II

The course consists of two parts. The first part consists of more advanced theory and methods relating to causal approaches surpassing the multivariate linear regression, limited dependent variable regression and time series analysis covered by Econometrics I.

Data Management

To carry out a research project, raw datasets need to be selected and manipulated to create variables that are appropriate to the research question, and the data needs to be formatted in the way that is required for the statistical analysis to be used.

Advanced Topics, Tutorial Courses

Agricultural Transformation in the Development Process

The significant role of agriculture in the development process for both long-term economic growth and poverty reduction is a classic theme in both Economic History and Development Economics.

Explaining Growth and Inequality

Investigating and theoretically explain why inequality is so much higher in some countries than in others and what drives changes over the long run are questions that have been central in economic history and economics.

Aid in Historical Perspective

The role of aid in the development process for long-term economic growth, poverty reduction and improving quality of life is a classic theme in both Economic History and Development Economics.

Archives, Primary Sources, Dataset

Economic historians make use of primary sources to study economic development in the past.

The History of Economic Inequality

This course discusses the history of economic and social inequality, focusing on the Western world since the Middle Ages.

The State in the Development Process

The significant but elusive role of the state in the development process for long-term economic growth, poverty reduction and improving quality of life is a classic theme in both Economic History and Development Economics.

History of Economic Thought

In this course, the aim is to study the development of economic thinking since the 18th century and the methodology of economics.

Geographic Information Systems

This course provides the student with basic practical and theoretical knowledge and skills in spatial data, spatial analysis and visualization, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), with a particular focus on applications in economic demography.

Family and Health

In this course, there is attention for health outcomes between individuals from different social groups, their family networks, and social status in adulthood.

Human Rights and Economic Development

The course accounts for the historical emergence and establishment of the overarching international frameworks for a just and prosperous society such as the UN system of human rights and the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development.

Based on Demand

A few courses are provided with irregular intervals. For these courses to be offered there needs to be a demand amongst PhDs and the department must have the necessary teaching capacity, or there may be some other outstanding circumstance.

Principle Debates in African Economic History

This course presents and discusses some of the fundamental debates in African economic history.

Applied Time Series Analysis

The course gives an introduction to basic concepts within time series analysis.

Family Demography

The aim of this tutorial is to provide students with advanced knowledge of central aspects of family demography, including fertility, family formation, divorce, and cohabitation.

Network Analysis for Economic Historians

This course introduces the subject of network analysis and statistical methods for analyzing historical and contemporary large networks.

Lund University

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Overview:

Lund University is a renowned international university located in Sweden. It offers a wide range of academic programs, including bachelor's and master's degrees, exchange programs, and doctoral studies. The university is known for its strong research and innovation ecosystem, fostering collaboration and excellence.

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Services Offered:

Lund University provides a comprehensive range of services to its students, including:

Student services and support:

This includes assistance with IT resources, literature and libraries, study skills, language and academic writing, examination, study guidance and career, grades, credits and certificates, and more.

International Desk:

Offers support for international students.

Student Health Centre:

Provides healthcare services to students.

International opportunities:

Offers exchange programs, traineeships, fieldwork opportunities, summer courses, and grants and scholarships for students seeking international experiences.

Financial matters:

Provides information on tuition payments, banking in Sweden, and scholarships for current students.

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

Lund University offers a vibrant and engaging campus experience for its students.

Lund as a student city:

The city of Lund is known for its rich history, cultural activities, and student-friendly atmosphere.

Student organizations:

Students can participate in various student nations, the Academic Society, student unions, and associations.

Sport and exercise:

The university offers opportunities for sports and exercise.

Cultural activities:

Students can engage in a variety of cultural activities.

Faith and spirituality:

The university provides support for students' faith and spirituality.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

International reputation:

Lund University is highly ranked internationally and recognized for its academic excellence.

Diverse academic programs:

Offers a wide range of programs across various disciplines.

Strong research and innovation:

Provides opportunities for students to engage in cutting-edge research.

Vibrant student life:

Offers a lively and supportive campus community.

Beautiful and historic location:

Located in the charming city of Lund, with a rich history and cultural heritage.

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Academic Programs:

Bachelor's and Master's studies:

Offers a wide range of bachelor's and master's degree programs in various subject areas, including architecture and design, area studies, business, economics and management, engineering and technology, environment and sustainability, fine and performing arts, humanities and languages, law, medicine and health, science, service management, and social sciences.

Exchange and study abroad:

Provides opportunities for students to study abroad at partner universities.

Doctoral studies:

Offers doctoral programs in various fields.